Landscape Juicetag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-4893922015-02-19T07:56:20+00:00Help finding local landscapers,gardeners, garden designers in the United KingdomTypePadIndustry press are as thick as thieves with their paymasterstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8345192c169e201bb07f395da970d2015-02-19T07:56:20+00:002015-02-19T08:09:26+00:00I was extremely perturbed, but not surprised, to hear that Chief Political Editor of the Telegraph, Peter Oborne, resigned his position because of the conflict of interest between his employer's advertising objectives and its responsibility to report a true and honest story. On Peter Oborne's resignation, Our Kingdom said: "The coverage of HSBC in Britain's Telegraph is a fraud on its readers. If major newspapers allow corporations to influence their content for fear of losing advertising revenue, democracy itself is in peril. Landscape industry press can also be accused of only running with positive stories. There can be only one...Philip Voice

I was extremely perturbed, but not surprised, to hear that Chief Political Editor of the Telegraph, Peter Oborne, resigned his position because of the conflict of interest between his employer's advertising objectives and its responsibility to report a true and honest story.

On Peter Oborne's resignation, Our Kingdom said: "The coverage of HSBC in Britain's Telegraph is a fraud on its readers. If major newspapers allow corporations to influence their content for fear of losing advertising revenue, democracy itself is in peril.

Landscape industry press can also be accused of only running with positive stories. There can be only one reason for this and that's to make money.

All industry readers get is a story that is fed to magazine editors as they want it to be printed and of course an editor is only too keen to oblige because because of the potential for that editor to make some money by running the story.

The practice might not be illegal but it's abhorrent and certainly immoral, in my book.

The answer is regulating the landscape industry press but the possibilities of this happening are zilch.

It is official - the internet overtakes printed mediatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8345192c169e201a73de09ea2970d2014-06-26T10:33:55+01:002014-06-26T10:33:55+01:00Using the internet is now officially as popular as reading a newspaper, says Ofcom. Some 41% of people say they now access news on websites and apps, up significantly from 32% in 2013. Forty percent say that they read newspapers to follow the news, which is unchanged year on year. Also, the internet has overtaken the radio (36%) to catch-up on the news. Sixteen to twenty-four year olds are driving the surge in consuming news on the internet or apps, with 60% doing so in 2014, up from 44% last year. Some 45% of 16-24s said that websites or apps...Philip Voice

Using the internet is now officially as popular as reading a newspaper, says Ofcom.

Some 41% of people say they now access news on websites and apps, up significantly from 32% in 2013.

Forty percent say that they read newspapers to follow the news, which is unchanged year on year. Also, the internet has overtaken the radio (36%) to catch-up on the news.

Sixteen to twenty-four year olds are driving the surge in consuming news on the internet or apps, with 60% doing so in 2014, up from 44% last year. Some 45% of 16-24s said that websites or apps were their most important sources for news, up by a half over the year (30% in 2013).

TV news still most popular

TV remains the most popular way to consume news with 75% tuning in during 2014, compared to 78% in 2013.

There has also been a fall in people saying that a TV channel is their most important source for news (from 62% in 2013 to 54% in 2014).

The amount of news watched on TV also varies with age. The over 55s watch an average of 196 hours of TV news each year. This compares to 27 hours for 16-24 year olds, who watch 88 fewer hours of TV news than the average UK adult (115 hours a year).

Those aged over 55 are nearly twice as likely to name a TV channel as their most important source of news, compared to the 16-to-24s (65% compared to 36%). More younger adults also don’t watch any news on TV (44% versus 25% across all adults).

Younger people more mobile for news

The rise in digital news is driven by increased mobile and tablet use among younger people (16-24). They are ten times more likely than those aged 55 and over to access news on a mobile (40% versus 4%) and twice as likely via a tablet (15% versus 7%).

Despite younger people having easier access to news on apps and the web, one in 10 people aged 16-24 say they don’t follow the news. This compares to 5% across all adults and just 3% for the over 55s.

The top three reasons UK adults give for following the news is to know what’s going on in the world (58%), across the UK (56%) and in their local area (49%). Those aged 55+ are more likely to give more reasons for following news, suggesting a stronger engagement.

Printed media ad sales got a boost in 2013tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8345192c169e201a3fcab223e970b2014-01-27T15:22:45+00:002014-01-27T15:22:45+00:00Figures from across the pond have shown that ad revenues generated from glossy magazines were boosted by 1% in 2013. What is most interestesting though is that the extra revenues came from tablet versions of publications rather than the actual printed paper copies. The actual number of printed ad pages dropped 4% (2012 -8%). The Association of Magazine Media reports Print category gainers for 2013 include: “Food and Food Products” up in revenue (+6.7%) and up in pages (+1.2%), “Drugs and Remedies” up in revenue (+6.0%) and up in pages (+2.1%), “Home Furnishings and Supplies” up in revenue (+5.6%) and...Philip Voice

Figures from across the pond have shown that ad revenues generated from glossy magazines were boosted by 1% in 2013.

What is most interestesting though is that the extra revenues came from tablet versions of publications rather than the actual printed paper copies.

The actual number of printed ad pages dropped 4% (2012 -8%).

The Association of Magazine Media reports Print category gainers for 2013 include: “Food and Food Products” up in revenue (+6.7%) and up in pages (+1.2%), “Drugs and Remedies” up in revenue (+6.0%) and up in pages (+2.1%), “Home Furnishings and Supplies” up in revenue (+5.6%) and up in pages (+1.9%) and “Toiletries and Cosmetics” up in revenue (+5.5%) and up in pages (+1.2%).

Pro Landscaper forced to remove untrue distribution claimtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8345192c169e2017c3588fdbe970b2013-01-10T11:34:28+00:002013-01-10T11:34:28+00:00Pro Landscaper has been forced to remove a claim that its magazine is sent to the entire membership of the Society of Garden Designers. In a joint statement with the SGD issued yesterday, publisher James Pembroke said: It has come to our attention that ProLandscaper have been claiming to advertisers that their magazine goes to all SGD members. We can confirm that this is wholly untrue. Jim Wilkinson, the publisher of ProLandscaper has written to Juliet Seargent, the chairman of the SGD, to confirm that they have never been given the membership list, so can never have reached all our...Philip Voice
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><a class="asset-img-link" style="float: right;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017c3589afd3970b-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017c3589afd3970b" alt="SGD wgg 110" title="SGD wgg 110" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017c3589afd3970b-800wi" border="0" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px;" /></a>Pro Landscaper has been forced to remove a claim that its magazine is sent to the entire membership of the Society of Garden Designers.</p>
<p>In a joint statement with the SGD issued yesterday, publisher James Pembroke said: </p>
<blockquote> It has come to our attention that ProLandscaper have been claiming to advertisers that their magazine goes to all SGD members. We can confirm that this is wholly untrue.
<p>Jim Wilkinson, the publisher of ProLandscaper has written to Juliet Seargent, the chairman of the SGD, to confirm that they have never been given the membership list, so can never have reached all our members. They have since taken down any such claims from their website and media pack.
<p>Whereas we welcome growth in our sector, we want to ensure that everyone is clear about where we stand in the market. The Garden Design Journal is free to all 1,274 SGD members and is a major reason for joining. The journal also has 1,700 fully-paid subscribers.</blockquote><p> </p>
<p>The Pro Landscaper magazine launched in September 2011 claiming circulation figures of over 5,000 and said "Our new, fresh and up to-date controlled circulation means that all the major contractors, designers and architects receive the publication each month, as do all APL, BALI and SGD members."</p>
<p>Speaking this morning to the chairman of the Association of Professional Landscapers, Mark Gregory and chairman of the British Association of Landscape Industries, Chris Carr, sensing the implications of such a move, both were keen to stress that neither of their respective organisations have ever lent or sold details of their membership lists.</p>
<p>Mark Gregory said "Never, never, never! We never sell or give away our members' details. Our members would lynch us if we did."</p>
<p>Chris Carr told me: "We don't lend or sell our email list. I couldn't even buy the list for our own Q Lawns' business if I wanted to and I'm the BALI chairman. It's just not possible."</p>
<p>The BALI office told me that their members details are open to view so if someone wanted painstakingly copy them then they can but they wouldn't get a list from BALI. </p>
<p>Only BALI may email its own members for marketing and association issues.</p>
<p>I'm awaiting further comment from SGD chair Juliet Sargeant.</p>
<p></p>
<p><br />
</p></div>
Landscape Juice soars into 2013tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8345192c169e2017d3fa90b59970c2013-01-09T06:22:16+00:002013-01-09T06:22:16+00:00I'm delighted to say that 2013 has started off extremely positively for Landscape Juice. Despite constant pressure from sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Google Plus, Landscape Juice continues to add members and increase its traffic. Membership currently stands at 2964 with over three new members, on average, joining each day since Christmas. As you can see from the graphic, over 1,500 people visited the Landscape Juice Network on the 02 January 2013 but traffic had increased to just shy of 1,800 visitors by the end of Monday 07 January. We even had 697 visitors across both sites on Christmas...Philip Voice

I'm delighted to say that 2013 has started off extremely positively for Landscape Juice.

Despite constant pressure from sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Google Plus, Landscape Juice continues to add members and increase its traffic.

Membership currently stands at 2964 with over three new members, on average, joining each day since Christmas.

As you can see from the graphic, over 1,500 people visited the Landscape Juice Network on the 02 January 2013 but traffic had increased to just shy of 1,800 visitors by the end of Monday 07 January.

We even had 697 visitors across both sites on Christmas Day.

External Works plans 25th anniversary editiontag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8345192c169e2017d3ea78272970c2012-12-10T10:43:07+00:002012-12-10T10:45:00+00:00The digital revolution continues to be a nightmare for traditional media. It seems everywhere one looks tells a tale of diminishing readerships and financial loss closing long established titles. There's no doubt about it that the internet has been the demise of many previously strong businesses: everyone's a publisher or aggregator these days. It's quite unusual for me to find a story that appears to be bucking the trend. In a recent blog post, External Works - a directory of products from landscaping and design through to street furniture and engineering - revealed the results of a recent survey which,...Philip Voice
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><a class="asset-img-link" style="float: right;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017d3ea78025970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2017d3ea78025970c" style="width: 200px; margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px;" alt="External works" title="External works" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2017d3ea78025970c-200wi" /></a>The digital revolution continues to be a nightmare for traditional media.</p>
<p>It seems everywhere one looks tells a tale of diminishing readerships and financial loss closing long established titles.</p>
<p>There's no doubt about it that the internet has been the demise of many previously strong businesses: everyone's a publisher or aggregator these days.</p>
<p>It's quite unusual for me to find a story that appears to be bucking the trend.</p>
<p>In a <a href="http://ewtrial.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/the-award-winning-industry-bible-external-works-to-print-or-not-to-print-that-was-the-question/">recent blog post</a>, External Works - a directory of products from landscaping and design through to street furniture and engineering - revealed the results of a recent survey which, they say:</p>
<ul> <li>79% of their readers still prefer to receive the printed version of External Works.</li>
<li>73% of those polled said they'd like to receive a copy of External Works in 2013.</li></ul><p></p>
<p>When asked why they preferred a printed copy of External Works:</p>
<ul> <li>70% said it's the first port of call to compare products and suppliers with 24% saying the directory is an essential visual aid when working with clients or a design team.</li></ul>
<p>21% indicated they prefer External Works online, with:</p>
<ul> <li>84% saying it's faster and more convenient</li>
<li>7% said the information is better online</li>
<li>6% said it's company policy to use online</li></ul>
<p><br />
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Hort Week loses more subscriberstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8345192c169e2017d3e730887970c2012-12-04T14:01:31+00:002012-12-05T21:28:04+00:00Figures from the independent audit organisation, ABC, show that Haymarket Publishing's Horticulture Week continued to lose paying subscribers in the last twelve months. Despite still quoting outdated 2009/10 circulation figures of 7,323 on its advertising page, Hort Week - which now publishes bi-weekly - sold just 831 copies at full rate with a further 2,925 discounted by up to 50%. Total average net circulation fell from 6,802 to 6295 in the period period 01 July 2011 to 30 June 2012. Here's a summary breakdown 2011/12 with 20010/11 in (brackets) Total average net circulation per issue: 6,295 (6,802) Single copy subscription...Philip Voice
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><a style="float: right;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2015434c05836970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e2015434c05836970c" alt="Xero_logo" title="Xero_logo" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e2015434c05836970c-800wi" border="0" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px;"></a>Figures from the independent audit organisation, <a href="http://www.abc.org.uk/">ABC</a>, show that Haymarket Publishing's <a href="http://www.hortweek.com">Horticulture Week</a> continued to lose paying subscribers in the last twelve months.</p>
<p>Despite still <a href="http://www.hortweek.com/go/advertising/">quoting</a> outdated 2009/10 circulation figures of 7,323 on its advertising page, Hort Week - which now publishes bi-weekly - sold just 831 copies at full rate with a further 2,925 discounted by up to 50%. </p>
<p>Total average net circulation fell from 6,802 to 6295 in the period period 01 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.</p>
<p>Here's a summary breakdown 2011/12 with <a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/2010/08/hort-week-subscriber-numbers-fall-23.html">20010/11</a> in (brackets) </p>
<ul> <li>Total average net circulation per issue: 6,295 (6,802)</li>
<li>Single copy subscription sales at full rate: 831 (1,807)</li>
<li>Subscriptions discounted between 50% and 100% of full rate: 2,674 (2,381)</li>
<li>Controlled free circulation (non-requested) 2,925 (2,640)</li></ul>
<p>Previous subscriber figures:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/2011/08/hort-week-subscriber-readership-2011.html">2010/20011</a><br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/2010/08/hort-week-subscriber-numbers-fall-23.html">2009/2010</a><br />
<a href="http://www.landscapejuice.com/2009/08/horticulture-week-subscribers-figures-fall-again.html">2008/2009</a></p>
<p>Horticulture Week is published by Haymarket Business Media.</p>
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Is the end in sight for Hort Week?tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8345192c169e2017616aa2c44970c2012-07-24T09:52:40+01:002012-07-24T09:52:40+01:00In recent years the 172 year old publication has been increasingly sidelined by blogs and social media as it failed to open up and embrace online.Philip Voice

As news slowly filters through that it will charge for access to its website and its magazine moves to become bi-weekly, the question has to be asked, is this the end of Hort Week?

In recent years the 172 year old publication has been increasingly sidelined by blogs and social media as it failed to open up and embrace online.

My contact understood exactly what was needed and how it should be approached but told me that senior management would (or couldn't) adopt this approach. The problem seemed to be that very the old traditional publisher wasn't in a position nor had the ability to change.

The problem was, and still is, that what was previously a very successful publishing format was now as useless as an umbrella in a wind tunnel. The printed media publishers were trying to develop a digital media strategy based on a traditional model, and it has failed big time in my opinion.

The Internet destroyed advertising channels.

Where once it was possible to control and steer industry conversation, blogs, and latterly social media, has meant that they [printed publications] were no longer the drivers. Advertisers could merely use the same channels as their potential clients and bypass the high fees of printed media.

The problem for Hort Week's owners, Haymarket Publishing, is that it has big debts and very little wiggle room. Once a media giant, Haymarket Publishing looks very much, to me, in decline.

To my mind Hort Week has gone exactly in the opposite direction it should have done. Rather than adopting a silo mentality and closing down it should have opened up. Instead of trying to herd the crowd it should have become part of the crowd.

Hort Week was already way ahead of its nearest challenger. It had the audience and database which it had built up over many years. However subscriptions began to fall (and again) heavily. Its opportunity wasted.

Whilst Richard Watts responded and tried to tell me I'd got their subscriber numbers wrong, I disagreed and I think I've been vindicated. Hort Week do not now publish their circulation figures (as they prefer to call them) on their site.

I really fear for Hort Week now. I think this is end game. I am sorry for its staff but I have to say I don't have a great deal of sympathy for its management.

What's your view. Will Hort Week survive or is this really the last hurrah?

Adam Pasco steps down as Gardeners' World magazine editortag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8345192c169e201676876b08d970b2012-07-13T10:14:50+01:002012-07-13T10:14:50+01:00There are big changes taking place at Immediate Media Company. After twenty-two years as editor, Adam Pasco has decided to step down. Lucy Hall takes over as editor after ten years as Pasco's deputy. With overall responsibility for the editorial direction and leadership of BBC Gardeners’ World magazine, Hall will work with web editor Daniel Haynes to develop content. (image: Lucy Hall) Lucy Hall says: “So much of gardening is about sharing a passion for plants and the outdoors. So it’s very exciting to be involved in our expanding online and digital formats, which, alongside the printed magazine, are fantastic...Philip Voice

There are big changes taking place at Immediate Media Company.

After twenty-two years as editor, Adam Pasco has decided to step down.

Lucy Hall takes over as editor after ten years as Pasco's deputy.

With overall responsibility for the editorial direction and leadership of BBC Gardeners’ World magazine, Hall will work with web editor Daniel Haynes to develop content. (image: Lucy Hall)

Lucy Hall says: “So much of gardening is about sharing a passion for plants and the outdoors. So it’s very exciting to be involved in our expanding online and digital formats, which, alongside the printed magazine, are fantastic resources to help gardeners get results and provide a forum for ideas and problem-solving.”

Further changes sees David Hurrion promoted to deputy editor. Ross Bayton promoted to gardening editor, Tamsin Hope Thomson to commissioning editor and Catherine Dawes takes on responsibility for the magazine’s content with a grow-your-own theme, as well as retaining her role for new products.

Lucy Hall's career so far:

Deputy editor, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, since 2002

Freelance writer on music and the arts 2000-2002

Editor, Classic FM Magazine, 1997-2000

Deputy editor, Gardens Illustrated, 1992-96.

Began her journalism career with Haymarket, working on trade press weeklies.

Yell shares drop 25% as digital fails to stem its paper lossestag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8345192c169e2016762712855970b2012-02-16T12:09:56+00:002012-02-16T12:09:56+00:00Debt stricken Yell Group disappointed the market yet again as it reveals figures well short of analysts' expectations. Yell, once the darling of printed media with its famous yellow directories, made just £16.6 million after tax on turnover of £382.8 million: it's massive debt remains £2.57 billion. Weakness in its digital and print directory services saw numbers fall way short of what the market was expecting leading Yell to fall over 25% on stock markets. Reuters reports: "(Yell) is primarily exposed to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in markets like Spain, UK and U.S., where the SME environment has been...Philip Voice
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><a style="float: right;" href="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e20168e772efe8970c-pi"><img class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d8345192c169e20168e772efe8970c" alt="Yell-logo-content" title="Yell-logo-content" src="http://perigordvacance.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8345192c169e20168e772efe8970c-800wi" border="0" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px;" /></a>Debt stricken Yell Group disappointed the market yet again as it reveals figures well short of analysts' expectations.</p>
<p>Yell, once the darling of printed media with its famous yellow directories, made just £16.6 million after tax on turnover of £382.8 million: it's massive debt remains £2.57 billion.</p>
<p>Weakness in its digital and print directory services saw numbers fall way short of what the market was expecting leading Yell to fall over 25% on stock markets.</p>
<blockquote><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/14/idUS60630+14-Feb-2012+RNS20120214">Reuters reports:</a> "(Yell) is primarily exposed to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in markets like Spain, UK and U.S., where the SME environment has been pretty tough for a while now," analyst Alex DeGroote of Panmure Gordon told Reuters.
<p>The company's good digital business is too small to make any real difference at the topline level because the legacy business is so large, DeGroote added.
<p>The company derived 8 percent of its total revenue from digital services as of its half-year ended September.
<p>"We remain concerned that an accelerated decline in the group's predominantly print revenues could undermine required investment in digital," brokerage Numis Securities said.</blockquote>
<p>Read Yell's <a href="http://www.yellgroup.com/media/press-releases/2012/14-02-2012">full interim management statement for the quarter ended 31 December 2011 – 14 February 2012</a></p></div>